La Malletiere

This very attractive French Colonial style house is built on top of the Marshan Ridge, facing southwest with beautiful, serene views over the ’Old Mountain’. The setting is magical; the villa is surrounded by very extensive gardens with lawns, terraces and mature trees, and the bustle of the city of Tangier seems very far away, yet it is only a fifteen-minute walk to the never-ending activity of the Medina and the Kasbah. It is here in these unexpectedly lush hills that so many of the foreigners who made their homes in Tangier chose to build their own houses – a trend that started with the French and Spanish colonists, long before the days of tourism.

La Malletiere has the comfortable elegance of a sophisticated European house combined with the sometimes-startling injections of colour of the Moroccan palette – there is a ‘Moroccan Room’ decorated in the fondant hues of acid-pink and pale blue. Built in the nineteen-thirties, the villa exemplifies the blend of formality and casual charm so typical of the period. People should come here to rest and relax and be amused, and there is no shortage of discreet staff to bring that about. The Manager, Butler/Cook and Chief Gardener all speak French (the Manager also speaks a little English), and, with their assistants, contribute much towards an effortlessly satisfying stay. Typical of this district of Tangier, the garden is exuberant in the lushness of its plants, filled with the sound of birdsong and trickling water.

There is a beautiful saltwater swimming pool just below the villa, overlooked by a cool terrace where meals can be taken out of doors. A larger terrace on the other side of the house is fully furnished for sitting out or taking meals, and in the summer, an awning turns this space into an extension of the indoor living rooms. At night, the gardens are atmospherically lit by a profusion of traditional lanterns, endlessly reflected in the water of the pool. Winter visitors may find it too cool to swim, but the house itself is warmed by central heating and by blazing log fires. Expeditions down into Tangier, to the beaches, or to other places of interest can easily be arranged, either independently or with the assistance of the House Manager.

Room Description

Ground Floor

Sitting room with fireplace • Dining room • Moroccan sitting room • Kitchen • Cloakroom

First Floor

Master bedroom with sitting/study area and ensuite bathroom • Double bedroom with ensuite bathroom • Double bedroom with en suite shower room • Twin bedroom • Bathroom.

Facilities

Your Stay Includes

5 staff including a cook, maids and a house manager. Laundry service.

Facilities

Washing machine • Satellite TV • DVD • Telephone.

Private Infinity Pool 7m x 4m, saltwater. Towels supplied.

Tenancy Times: Arrival dates and durations are flexible. Check-in after 3pm, check-out before 11, unless by arrangement.

Your Location

Amenities: The rather eclectic town of Tangier with its many amenities and shops is just 1 km from the house.

Places of interest: Inland it is possible to explore the traditional villages of the Rif mountain range such as Chefchaouene, Tetouan and Larache. These pretty villages were built under the influence of the Spanish settlers and invaders and the centuries of history are visible in their style.

Beaches: The beach and the cave of hercules are about a 10 kilometre drive from the house.

Airport: Tangier 6km

CV Contact • Owner managed • Available all year